On the Joys & Challenges of developing the Elthos RPG & Mythos Machine, and other sundry RPG matters.

GM Style Badges List

The GM Style Badges is a very neat expression of many discussions regarding the different Gamesmastering Styles that have evolved over time. The original GM Merit Badges (note: I changed the name to "Style Badges" as it seems to make more sense) were posted on Strange Magic Blog, and the artwork was contributed by someone named Lorc (thank you kindly!). I am posting the full set of badges and their original descriptions here because on Strange Magic the last two sets of new badges are not separated into individual graphics files, and so are not as easily downloaded as the others. I have discerned that there are two basic groups, the Story Aspect and the Mechanical Orientation, so I have separated them into those two groups. Also note that some GM Style Badges go better together than others. And also note that in some cases they can be mutually exclusive. You can use the Badges by downloading them (to do that right click and click 'Save As') and using them in your blog (or elsewhere). The only request I have seen so far is that if you do so, please include Lorc's name somewhere so that he (or she) can get credit for their work. Thanks & Enjoy!

Story Aspect

My games will tell an interesting Story

My games will be Scary

My games focuses on Exploration & Mystery

My games are Gonzo and can include a lot of strangeness

Characters in my games are Destined for greatness, not random death

My games include Disturbing content

My games focus on interesting Characters and Drama

My games are more of the Social, Fun and "Beer & Pretzels" style

My games are Safe and you don't need to worry about content or character death

Mechanical Orientation

My game focuses on Player Skill rather than character abilities

My game is primarily Non-Combat in nature

My game has Shared GMing responsibility with the other players

I roll Dice in the open and don't fudge the results in my games

I play By-The-Book and "rule-zero" is not being used to alter existing rules

I frequently Tinker with the rules of the game

Tactics are an important part of my games

Players in my game should be prepared to Run when the odds are against them

There will be Player vs Player combat allowed in my games

I will Mirror back player ideas I think are interesting in the game

My games use a pre-made Map and pre scripted content

My games rely on a lot of Improvisation rather than pre scripted content

The GM is In Charge in my games and "rule-zero" is in effect

Players characters Death is a likely event in my games

My game is more enjoyable when I keep my GMing style Unknown

GM Style Badges Matrix
(Story across the top, Mechanics down the side)

Blog Pages

What is Elthos?

Elthos is a traditional style RPG Rules System that first made its appearance in 1978. The Mythos Machine is the web application that comprehensively supports the Elthos RPG with two major features.

The World Weaver's Studio helps GMs with building their Worlds, and populating them with Places, Campaigns, Adventures and Things (Equipment, Weapons, Armors, Cultures, Races, Classes, Mystic Powers, Skills, etc).

GamesMaster's Toolbox serves as number cruncher for Character Generation, Adventure Groups Management, and running Reports, the most popular being the Print World Report which produces a nicely formatted print out of your World, Places, Campaigns, Adventures, and optionally includes Character Stat Blocks, Maps, Images, and Campaign History.